Commissioner Kevin Davis says the ability to padlock businesses complicit in crime is an important tool in the police toolbox, if only as a last resort.

"It's used sparingly, but when it's used, it's used for a purpose," Davis told C4 Wednesday.

For the first time since 2009, the city made use of the padlocking law Tuesday, when police closed up a West Baltimore gas station said to be complicit in crime. He was wary about a suggestion made earlier in the show by state Sen. Jim Brochin, a Towson Democrat, that legislators would look at invalidating the city's padlocking ordinance.

Separately, C4 also asked Davis about preparation for the verdict Thursday in the case against Officer Caesar Goodson. He said the city has memoranda of understanding with major jurisdictions nearby, but that he doesn't expect to make use of them.

"We're going to be at our best no matter what. No matter what the verdict tomorrow, our community is prepared to move forward," Davis said. "We're prepared because the community demands us to be prepared."

He said if he sees peaceful protests outside his office window overlooking City Hall, that's fine by him.